Biography
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Mel Welles (February 17, 1924 - August 18, 2005) was an American film actor. His best-remembered role may be that of hapless flower shop owner Gravis Mushnik in the 1960 low-budget Roger Corman dark comedy, The Little Shop of Horrors (which featured Jack Nicholson as a masochistic dental patient).
Not much is known of Welles' early life, except that he was born Ira Meltcher in New York City. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School, in 1940. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State University, a Master of Arts degree from West Virginia University, and a Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University.
Welles held a number of jobs during his lifetime; at one time or another he worked as a clinical psychologist, radio DJ, television actor, writer and film director. He did some stage work before traveling to Hollywood, where in 1953 he appeared in his first film, Appointment in Honduras. His favorite role (The Little Shop of Horrors) was also his last in the U.S. for many years.
In the early 1960s, he left the United States to act, produce and direct primarily in European film productions including the cult horror films Maneater of Hydra (1967) and Lady Frankenstein (1971). His fluency in five languages proved to be most helpful. He also served as a film consultant. Later he returned to the U.S., appearing in a number of films, doing voice work, and teaching voice acting.
Probably his most widely seen work in the late 1970's was his English adaptation of the Japanese television show, "Spectreman" which was seen on UHF and cable across the United States. While he shares writing credit with two other people, it's clear that most of the English voice work, and the offbeat humor, is his.
In 1998, Welles took to the stage in a community theater production of Little Shop of Horrors (musical) as Mushnik, the role he created in the original Roger Corman film. Welles had never performed in the musical and was happy to be asked to do the role, which he described as a "mitzvah" for Scotts Valley Performing Arts. Jonathan Haze, who played Seymour in the original film, attended the opening, and Welles also received a visit from Martin P. Robinson, the designer of the Audrey II plant puppets used in the off-Broadway production (Robinson is also famous for his puppetry on Sesame Street).
Welles was working on a horror screenplay, tentatively titled House of a Hundred Horrors, at the time of his death.
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Filmography
all 68
Movies 52
TV Shows 16
Director 6
self 2
Voice 2
Piecing Together Lady Frankenstein (2018)
Howard (2018)
The Truth About Lady Frankenstein (2007)
Secret Agent 00 Soul (1990)
Wizards of the Lost Kingdom II (1989)
Invasion Earth: The Aliens Are Here (1988)
Rented Lips (1987)
Commando Squad (1987)
Chopping Mall (1986)
Homework (1982)
Smokey Bites the Dust (1981)
Wolfen (1981)
Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype (1980)
Joyride to Nowhere (1977)
Cut-Throats Nine (1972)
Lady Frankenstein (1971)
The Last Mercenary (1968)
Llaman de Jamaica, Mr. Ward (1968)
Island of the Doomed (1967)
The She Beast (1966)
Our Man in Jamaica (1965)
The Keeler Affair (1963)
The Reluctant Saint (1962)
The Red Sheik (1962)
Hemingway's Adventures of a Young Man (1962)
The Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
Code Of Silence (1960)
Mr. Lucky (1959)
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (1958)
The Texan (1958)
High School Confidential! (1958)
The Brothers Karamazov (1958)
The Walter Winchell File (1957)
Maverick (1957)
Have Gun, Will Travel (1957)
Hell on Devil's Island (1957)
Rock All Night (1957)
The Shadow on the Window (1957)
The Undead (1957)
Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957)
The 27th Day (1957)
Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers (1956)
Flight to Hong Kong (1956)
Calling Homicide (1956)
Outside the Law (1956)
The Fighting Chance (1955)
Hold Back Tomorrow (1955)
The Big Knife (1955)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955)
Jungle Jim (1955)
Cheyenne (1955)
Duel on the Mississippi (1955)
Spy Chasers (1955)
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)
Soldier of Fortune (1955)
The Racers (1955)
The Silver Chalice (1954)
Captain Midnight (1954)
Pushover (1954)
Massacre Canyon (1954)
Jesse James vs. the Daltons (1954)
Passport to Danger (1954)
Wyoming Renegades (1954)
Appointment in Honduras (1953)
Private Secretary (1953)
I Led Three Lives (1953)
The Ford Television Theatre (1952)
The Lone Ranger (1949)
Ratings
Information
Known ForActing
GenderMale
Birthday1924-02-17
Deathday2005-08-18 (81 years old)
Birth PlaceNew York City, United States of America
CitizenshipsUnited States of America
Also Known AsIra W. Meltcher
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